Morning Bell: Read Before You Vote

A budget agreement that fell short in dollars but was advertised as “the largest spending cut in history” is being challenged by new reports that the old ways of Washington have yet to be overcome. News outlets such as The Washington Post, Fox News and the Associated Press suggest “creative accounting” may have been used to get to the figure of $38.5 billion in cuts. We’re still poring over the numbers, but this is a good time to remind the public that Congress needs to do the opposite of what former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) recommended last year when she said “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”

The National Journal reports: “…the final cuts in the deal are advertised as $38.5 billion less than was appropriated in 2010, but after removing rescissions, cuts to reserve funds, and reductions in mandatory spending programs, discretionary spending will be reduced only by $14.7 billion.”

Clearly, $14.7 billion cut from a $3.5 trillion budget is less than advertised and far less than expected. So far, our initial analysis has found at least $12.2 billion and as much as $20.6 billion in cuts in the final agreement should be reviewed thoroughly. These include $6.2 billion from the 2010 Census and it remains to be seen how much of that spending would have ended regardless. Then there’s $6 billion from rescissions of funds that were not likely to be spent anyway.

The AP reports: “The details of the agreement reached late Friday night just ahead of a deadline for a partial government shutdown reveal a lot of one-time savings and cuts that officially ‘score’ as cuts to pay for spending elsewhere, but often have little to no actual impact on the deficit.”

Granted, there are real cuts in this package. But what is the long-term effect on the deficit as a result of this compromise? Members of Congress must take the appropriate time to review the budget before passing it. House leaders promised 72 hours of public review time on legislation. The public should take the time to review the nature of the cuts carefully.

The House appropriately debated their initial package of $61 billion in cuts at great length, in public and with a great deal of transparency. But a similar Senate debate never took place.

This could have all been avoided if the Senate had simply done its job and debated the budget rather than Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) punting that legislative responsibility to the White House. However, with a government shutdown looming as result of Reid’s negligence, the American public was treated as bystanders rather than watchdogs.

In the end, there is no arguing that cuts were made and many ineffective government programs were terminated. We have still moved a great deal from the days of trillion dollar “stimulus” packages and the failed notion that government growth equates to economic growth. But if they are to achieve serious reform on behalf of the American people as they debate the 2012 budget and the debt limit, lawmakers must reject the business-as-usual practices of Washington.

To preserve credibility with the American people, Congress must clearly articulate what specific spending cuts do and don’t do to address out-of-control spending and reduce our nation’s deficits and debts. And Congress must act in a transparent fashion and deliver real cuts that deliver substantial savings over the long-term. Only then will the culture of our nation’s capital indeed be transformed, and the real spending reforms that are necessary to put America’s fiscal future on a sustainable path will be realized.

Quick Hits

Ahead of President Obama’s address today on the national debt, lawmakers in both parties say they will not accept new debt unless the president agrees to mandatory restraints on future spending.

The U.S. government issued a little-noticed warning to U.S. citizens and government employees that they could be targeted by drug gangs in three Mexican states south of the border.

Two suspects have confessed to the Monday subway bombing in Minsk, Belarus, that killed 12 people and left 200 wounded.

Britain says it is impossible to forecast when the NATO operation in Libya would achieve results, as NATO, Arab and African ministers met with Libya’s rebels in Qatar on Wednesday.

Rory Cooper is Director of Strategic Communications at The Heritage Foundation. In this position, Cooper coordinates the think tank’s external message and internal communications, manages its entire digital communications and social media portfolios, and develops new media partnerships. Cooper also serves as the executive editor for The Foundry, the conservative policy news blog at Heritage.

Join The Discussion

Clearly, the Democrats and Republicans are quite adept at innuendo, confusion and the art of the spin. Let's face it–our political leaders have no interest in fully informing the public as they do answer to a different master whose goals are in conflict with the majority of the people of the USA.

We recently saw the US Federal Government go through the painful process of agreeing to cut a small percentage of the total Federal budget. They agreed to cut some $38B (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13354126). Current Federal spending INCREASES the National debt by an average $4.08B (yes BILLION) every day. Given that it took about two weeks of wrangling to arrive at that $38B decrease, the debt increased approximately $57.12B during that period! Hailed as victory in agreeing to cut the debt, the US still loses as a Nation.

With the total National debt of approximately $14,279,943,291,072,000.00 (fourteen trillion, two hundred seventy nine billion, two hundred ninety one million and seventy two thousand dollars) that $38B represents .0000027% of the total debt (http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/). If you personally were putting $10,000 on credit card debt each year that would be the equivalent of you cutting your spending by $0.027 (2.7 cents).

As a Nation we are spending ourselves into failure. We cannot continue. I have heard people say 'that is the Government debt' – well for US Citizens, WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT! At this point each of US Citizen reading this, as well as their parents, spouse, each child, each grandchild and every other CITIZEN of this Country owes $46, 009.04 of the total Federal debt. A shocking number? How are the States doing? Are the State budgets balanced or are the States running a debt also?? We own that too.

Even if we go after the corporate giants like Exxon Mobil and Wal-Mart and all the rest of the Fortune 500 companies and confiscate 100% of their combined total profits, we would have only about $391 billion—which would cover only about 10.5% of the Federal budget. Even if we taxed everyone who makes more than $250,000 at 100% we would only generate another $1.414 trillion, which would cover less than 5 months’ worth of Federal spending. Even if we then cut all spending on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, eliminated all foreign aid, nationalized all the homes in Beverly Hills, and took all the wealth of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, we would still fall short of paying our annual bills by about $12 billion.

The US does not have a tax problem, the US has a spending problem. Republicans and Democrats alike are spending our citizens money, the PEOPLES WEALTH, at an unsustainable rate and have been doing so for the better part of the last 75 years. US Citizens have been sleeping and letting them get away with this. We The People are in charge, but we have been asleep at the switch. US Citizens must take ownership of their Republic NOW! They must contact their representatives NOW and let them know this is unacceptable. The politicians work for us and if they do not act responsibly we must let them know they will have to work for someone else. In the next election cycle US Citizens need to focus on those conservative candidates who are willing to make the tough decisions to cut the budget and eliminate the programs and spending that are driving the Republic into default. What enemies of US could not do by force we are doing to ourselves. The debt is the greatest threat to our Republic. This is going to be painful, but if we do not do this we will fail as a Nation.

Same old smoke and mirrors game played by both parties. We the people are more informed and getting angrier. Term limits is one of the answers along with a balanced budget requirement. HF thanks for keeping us independents informed and readers contact your representatives and tell them how displeased you are with the same old games.

John Boehner knew that congress's approval rating was at an all time low, and that pollling indicated that voters would hold both parties equally responsible for a shutdown. Instead of allowing tax payers to have a more strident voice in the process and generate further momemtum for real cuts, the Speaker decided to ignore the same people who engineered this discussion in the first place by virtue of last fall's election. He not only ignored the people but allowed creative booking in order to further abuse the electorate calling for fiscal austerity. I have concluded that Boehner is primarily interested in preserving his own power and self interests. I hope the Tea Party works to disenfranchise the Speaker because he has done so to "we the People."

It is a sad day when Heritage gets scooped by the AP. And now we have three ridiculous spending resolutions to "prove" that John Boehner is a liar; a liberal RINO; and not capable of leading the country out of the socialist muck. How much proof do you need? Even worse is the fact that he was elected Speaker of the House -meaning the vast majority of our Republican representatives favor his do-nothing stance. And the fact that our senators are equally culpable in the leadership vacuum. Well, let's see, we can always listen to Rush and "wait" for next year's election. Right? We've been waiting for elections to "reduce the size of government" for 33 years.

I agree, but how can we get Washington to change its ways? They shade the truth and at times lie to make a point. How do we get that to end? What ever became of doing things for the "Greater Good of The Country"? If these massive deficits are not diminished this country as we know it is doomed to become Europe. God Forbid!

Judge Andrew Napolitano last night revealed some of Congress's tricks it uses to avoid any cuts: rather than use last year's budget as a template & make future budget cuts from it (which would insure a real cut from prior spending), Congress allows the President to submit any kind of budget he wants & then makes cuts from it instead. Or Congress considers it a "cut" if they spend more the next year, but at a lower rate of growth than they originally wanted. Madness!

The Federal Budget for 2011 will wind up $3.82 trillion with a deficit of $1.65 trillion. The Republicans first "caved in" on their pledge to cut AT LEAST $100 billion, down to $61 billion. Then they "caved in" down to $38.5 billion in "cuts". Now we find out it's actually going to be probably much less than that.

I say, "Throw the bums out! Weak-kneed Republicans and as many Democrats as possible. Boehner should be the first to go!"

Paraphrasing Judge Napolitano: Using the present Congressional meaning of "budget cut", what's to prevent the President from proposing a ridiculous 2012 budget of say $6 trillion, Congress cutting it down to "just" $4 trillion, and then claiming a $2 trillion budget cut! Even though it would still be significantly higher than the 2011 Federal Budget? Answer: Nothing!

Sadly our nation is headed towards big government, European style socialism and bankruptcy with the demise also of our US Dollar that has become just "fiat" currency based upon nothing of real, intrinsic value. In fact, it's just based upon debt, yet that debt is declared (using Alice in Wonderland logic) an "asset". Nonsense! A debt is a debt, not a real asset. At best, if the debt is repaid, you get back to "even". Only if the debt is repaid with interest does the interest become an asset. BUT WHO KNOWS IF THE DEBT WILL EVER BE REPAID? If not, the debts become losses, not assets!

It's not about the final so called "cuts" Boehner agreed too. It's about Boehner and other the old GOP members caving it to Obama and the Dems. The gutless actions of this bunch that still insist on "compromise" (which is nothing more than "surrender" to the whims of Obama) is a prelude. Boehner delibertly did not keep his word to the voters that put him in the speker's chair. Does anyone think he will grow a set of balls in future fights with Obama?

Whatever happened to the promise – by the House Republicans – that all proposed legislation will first be identified as Constitutional and if not, it is NOT even considered? 2012 can't come fast enough.

Considering how much of taxpayers' money is wasted by partisan politics, bi-partisan politics is no longer a productive form of government for the US. Continuous debate based on political philosophies results in nothing positive for the solution of our economical problems.

Congress has already lost all credibility with the American people. It is way past time for Americans to "take off the kid gloves" and get tough with our elected representatives. They have acted like children for too long and we better start treating them like children until they "grow up" again. This means close supervision of them at all times while they are in office and letting them know that they should "not try anything funny" because they will be made to pay a price. If they act like children, they should be treated like children>

PERHAPS "WE THE PEOPLE" WERE NOT LOUD ENOUGH, OR FORCEFUL ENOUGH, OR EVEN CLEAR ENOUGH LAST NOVEMBER…………WELL YOU OVER-PAID, OVER-RATED, SELF-IMPORTANT "SUGAR COOKIES", YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ALL OF US THE NEXT GO ROUND…I GUARANTEE IT;

•Had the single largest daily increase of debt of all times – $72 billion, the same day congress voted to cut only $6 billion from the budget.

•Had the second largest monthly deficit this year.

•Had the largest monthly spending so far ($336 billion), was $120 billion over March FY10.

•Even though we are funding the government by continuing resolutions of the 2010 budget, we are in fact spending near FY 2011 levels – projected FY11 spending up to $3.7 trillion – just $130 billion shy of the published FY11 budget..

•For the first time this year, the monthly revenue for a month dropped below the revenue for the same month a year prior.

Congress obfuscated that they would return spending to 2008. According to CNS News, the agreed upon budget will be $773 billion over 2008 levels because congress chose not to address the unsustainable weight of entitlements and defense spending.

From the recently released US Treasury “Monthly Treasury Statement” – March, 2011 and from the “Daily Treasury Statement” – March 30, 2011 and the interest summary at here is the following debt update:

Receipts are up over last year by $66 billion ($579.00 per taxpayer), however based on the rate the feds have collected so far, receipts may be lower than last year by $121.95 billion (-6%).

FY11 Spending to date has increased by $178.43 billion from last year with annual spending now projected to be $242.67 billion higher than last year – so far ($3.698 trillion or $131.38 billion below the FY11 proposed budget.

The annual debt thus far has gone up by $829.410 billion in spending and $215.581 billion in interest (six months). At this rate, the annual debt increase for the year will likely be $1.9 trillion. So far this year 45% of the federal budget is covered by debt . Last year the overall debt percentage was 37%.

If one were to take the dedicated tax revenue (roughly 36% of receipts – or $734.33 billion) that goes to social security and Medicaid/Medicare and take that out of both mandatory spending and the total budget, the remaining budget ($2.964 trillion) is being funded by 56% debt ($1.659 trillion). These numbers are based on current spending.

At 45% debt spending and ignoring the interest expense, the figurative date the federal government runs out of real money during FY11 (Oct. – Sept.) was April 11th. Meaning after this week, all paychecks, entitlement checks, contract payments and all other expenditures from the federal government are adding to the national debt.

An example on how fast we are going into debt:

"As of 04-13-2011, we are going into debt by $1.90 Trillion this fiscal year FY11. This is at a rate of $158.26 Billion per month; $36.52 Billion per week; $5.22 Billion per day and $217.39 Million per hour. Every minute we are going into debt by $3.62 Million, and every second we are blowing through what a typical household that is doing comfortably, earns in a year – $60,386.82.

A four hour congressional hearing to discuss federal budget cuts puts America $869.57 Million deeper in debt, with nothing to see out of it."

FY 2011 [Monthly Debt spending – millions]

•October [140,432] – (lower by $35,931 from FY10)

•November [150,394] – (more by $30,107 from FY10)

•December [78,134] – (lower by $13,276 from FY10)

•January [49,796] – (more by $7,162 from FY10)

•February [222,500] – (more by $1,591 from FY10)

•March [188,153] – (more by $122,766 from FY10) **

FY 2011 [Monthly Interest on Debt – millions]

•October [24,142]

•November [19,396]

•December [104,700]

•January [21,123]

•February [21,759]

•March [24,460]

Total interest charged in FY11 is $229,345 Billion – paid only $101.4 billion.

•By the end of April 2011, the debt will likely be $14.356 trillion at that rate, taking us over the debt limit by $62.1 billion of available debt.

•Based on the above rate, by close of business April 18, 2011, we will run out of debt at the current rate of spending.

By the end of September (close of FY11), the debt will likely be $15.36 trillion (with added interest not paid). This is $1.066 trillion over the debt limit and represents $134,734.66 per active taxpayer (the only people who have “skin in the game”).

Current actions that reduce spending (does not include intent, planned reductions or pending legislation):

•In the 4/4/11 CR there were cuts totaling $4 billion in mostly onetime items. The annual budget has yet to be cut significantly.

•In the 4/18/11 CR there were cuts totaling $6 billion in mostly onetime items. The annual budget has yet to be cut significantly.

•A third CR was passed without any cuts however; it came with an agreement to pass a remaining budget for the rest of the year with $38.4 billion in cuts – which included the two cuts listed above.

There is absolutely no way we are getting out of this year without increasing the debt limit. Spending up to today has exceeded collected and expected revenue combined. We can still cut, but at this point is will only lessen the sting.

•Remaining expected revenue is $1.02 trillion out of a projected $2.04 trillion.

•Remaining expected spending is $1.85 trillion out of a projected $3.70 trillion.

Where is some of that money going? Here are some big-ticket items for March Year to Date payouts.

•$196 billion for defense contractors (not soldiers – this was not cut – but increased from last year)

•$132 billion for education programs (we have over 60 early education programs in the government)

•$101 billion for interest (Not enough – needs to go higher)

•$136 for Medicaid (not cut)

•$260 for Medicare (not cut)

•$295 for Social Security (not cut)

At this point, we have run out of money! After paying the full interest for the year, we are now in deficit spending zone. Nothing we do will prevent us from going deeper into debt. Congress, even if they wanted to cannot fund the rest of the federal workforce and programs without going into debt. It is a sure bet that congress will be raising the debt ceiling.

GENTLEMEN; I MUST WRITE IN ALL CAPS OR I CAN'T SEE WELL ENOUGH TO PROOF MY OWN WORK….AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE TO DO IT. THANK YOU..

THANKS TO THE REPUBS LED BY THE SHEEP-IN-CHIEF, JOHN BOEHNER, WE NOW HAVE A PREZ WHO THINKS HE'S OUT-SMARTED THE CONSERVATIVES…AND SO HE HAS! UNFORTUNATLY, THE HOUSE LACKS A SPEAKER WITH A BACK-BONE… INSTEAD, WHAT JOHN HAS IS A "MILK-BONE"..I BELIEVE HE CAN BE RELIEVED OF THAT DUTY ANY TIME HIS COLLEAGUES THINK HE ISN'T "CUTTING THE MUSTARD"!

MUSTARD CUTTERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE…YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT THE "SPEAKER"! IS THAT REALLY A LOSS, OR A LOSS PLUS??

I have come to believe it is the government workers ( elected or non elected ) against everyone else. I don't believe either party is really on the side of the people and there no longer is a free society and we all are really just slaves of the of the government. Maybe the only way to force a real shutdown and change is for the working people to stop working.

The final "cuts" were less than 10% of one months servicing of the existing debt. Further, there is an article in my morning newspaper stating that very few, if anyone will feel the cuts. I would say I'm dissappointed, but really got what I expected. The earlier post about balanced budgets and term limits are the only long term solution. Who wants to be first to step up to the plate and eliminte your plush Washington job?

Prepare to look stupid, Republicans! Obama has already telegraphed his move. He will cut whole duplicative Agencies! Ryan has done all he could from the Budget perspective, but look! The Big Secret about the Budget is that "It isn't a budget! It's a guideline!" The Demo-crats spent like drunken sailors without passing one!

Watch how Obama saves his Shadow Government agencies, while chopping out the 'dross' of actual Constitutional Forms of Government! Don't worry, the Government won't shut down until September, Obama will need that chaos again right about then. Americans prepare for Dictatorship or the House cuts the Dictator down!

It is a fact the big crazy Government is coming down. Both sides will tear it down! If the House has a spine they will Impeach the Half Vast Left Wing Conspiracy! (Before they False Impeach them.) But this is actually the End Game of the Cold War, playing out here. All the Earth Works of war have been done! For our Economy the 'man caused disaster' has been set on autopilot! It is Prime Time for Republicans to bring Government down to size in an orderly way! First Prosecute Departments and Defund. Then Convict and Abolish! Whole Departments for their High Crimes! Democrats want to wreck it! Republicans want to shrink it! Let's shrink it before they wreck it!

It’s pathetic that the GOP caved in on such miniscule budget cuts. Perhaps John Boehner’s biggest boner is saying that he doesn’t want to shut down the government. It’s true that the GOP only controls &frac12; of one of the 3 branches of government. But it can, and should definitely, use a shutdown as leverage and a weapon against the Democraps’ irresponsible runaway profligate spending which we can’t afford!! It’s frustrating to hear the democraps’ fear-mongering with lies which are outrageous and just plain absurd!! And of course a large % of voters are stupid enough to keep electing and re-electing the democraps. IMHO, a lot more democraps should’ve been defeated in the 2010 election. Many voters are just to ignorant to realize that voting for today’s leftwing socialist democrap party won’t solve our problems, but only make bad situations worse. The 2006 and 2008 elections have proven this!! BUT, It’s also frustrating that so many republicans lack the courage to stand up to the democraps. The Great One Mark Levin’s ranting on the radio is right and legitimate as he boldly speaks out against the leftwing statists. I wish all Republicans were as firm, bold and outspoken as the Great One. (E.g., if John McCain had been as aggressive to BHO in 2008 as he’s been to his more conservative GOP colleagues, he could’ve defeated BHO on 11/4/2008, and the entire obamanation/abomination could’ve been prevented!!) The GOP should not only refute the democraps’ outrageous lies and drivel, but also point out how destructive and detrimental the democraps’ agenda is, and likewise the GOP should stand firm on its better ideas. If all Republicans emulated Mark Levin, then the only ones who’d still vote for Democraps would be welfare moochers, drones and other liberal nut job groups, which we know are a minority.

When is the last time Democrat leadership could be said to have deliberately pulled a fast one on their own liberal constituency? … i.e., sold them down the river?

And yet, this is part and parcel of how the Republican leadership consistantly, for decades, has treated its conservative constituency.

Who ever hears about the Democrats denigrating those who voted them into office as "extreme?" When has the Democrat leadership ever behaved as though they are embarrassed of those who have voted them into office?

Oh, sure, at the 11th hour in all this, when he and his staff apparently determined it was politically expedient to do so, Boehner made a remark something like, "there's no daylight between me and the Tea Party."

Uh-huh. Liar.

They play us for fools. And as long as we keep voting RINOs into office, thus encouraging them to continue to play us for fools, well, then I guess we ARE fools.

I would also point out that this deal cannot be mentioned in the same breath as FY2008. After a "one-time spend" for stimulus, this deal still ends up with a FY2011 price tag about $780 billion more than 2008. Simply horrendous!

I am glad Heritage is challenging the deal more that they see what is in it, after an initial ambivalent tone on Monday. Though for me, the outrage remains even if all $38 billion were actual cuts to the budget and not recapture of unspent moneys.

The 535 idoits + 2 have not had to earn a real paycheck in so long that they have no idea what real money is or how to earn it. They think they can keep going to the well and get more. With the USA borrowing 40 cents for every dollar spent. Sounds to me like we need a 50 percent budget CUT. I know its going to hurt but its going to have to be done in order to save this country.

The Senate and the White House are controlled by the Democrats, so, we should all understand by now that the Democrats will never be serious about cuts, they can't be because cutting isn't part of their agenda. Cutting means the loss of votes and that ain't going to happen as long as they are in control. I think that the Republicans will try and do their best, but, their best, probably, isn't what we expect only because they can do just so much. We need a leader and, so far, there hasn't been anyone willing to step up to the plate; I don't think it's any of the candidates that want the GOP nomination either. Anyway, it's clear to me, that I can't and won't believe anything that comes from the Democrats or Obama; the words never match the actions.

if it were possible to sit a politician down and get a straight answer…. about the budget and spending….a question i would ask is who wrote the spending bills….for you to sign….question again….who benifits when the country transforms into an unaccountable international empire with countless siphons drawing its life blood to refresh every failed utopian dream of power and how greater this greater good that you would have us believe….moral when plainly it is not….tax the rich….re-define who the rich are and play the envy card…..make people afraid and they will scratch at each other like cats tied by the tail over a clothes line. you want one to be a punch card liberal that doesnt believe in god…and the other a polar opposite for accountings sake…lets throw up a secular devil…a murdoch..a palin…a bachman…and make what they say blasphemy..against the new religion..and a sin to even think outside the two sided box the left calls heaven..and cant escape….by looking sideways or up or down at other possibilites that have not failed…as theirs have for the best part of two centuries….and why have they failed….man is a creation with a heart and mind that is free… that was freed when the gate to the garden opened….people won't be put back into gardens they tend as chattel for others…..think about that out there in left field….free is not just a word… it is what we were made to be….and making others less free to support ideology over humanites natural….organic condition..!!!! is beyond common sense….expecting something for nothing and bridging the difference between the real and the not with platitudes and mission statements…that declare smoke to be substance…..greeted with an amen from the pews…there are things real…. and things not….real has gravity…whats not… to the left is bibical….but amounts to less than the air it takes to pronounce…. but in their lexicon all their beliefs are final scripture…and twisted as a poisonious dream…that they infect the centers of power with…power that draws them like a bug to a yard light….with about as much understanding as one. tea party conservatives want that bright city on the hill…and know that to achieve it common sense business and personal well being and profit can't be undermined by a fluid interpretation of our binding documents with selfish intent.

These are all great comments, in my view; spot on and appropriately outraged. But this forum is of little use to us if the perpetrators of this travesty aren't held to task and informed of their transgressions in no uncertain terms. Write to your congressmen, your senators; write specifically to the GOP leadership in congress and let them know exactly how you feel. If enough of us do that, if enough of us register not only our displeasure but our intent to clean house in November 2012 if nothing is done to change this situation between now and then, well then perhaps they'll get the message!! Beohner has violated our trust, as has other leaders. We need to let them know their days are numbered if things don't change!!

“the largest spending cut in history“ Let's also include the reason behind it. the largest government fraud of overreach in history! Government control, (like insurance has become,) IS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY!

To preserve credibility with the American people? Good question, What credibility? It should read "to regain credibility." but we know how overly sensitive democrats are regarding truth, dignity and their personal faults causing this ugly reality.

I THINK THIS WOULD BE FUNNY IF IT WAS NOT SERIOUS, I COULD TAKLE THAT BUDGET AND PROABLY GET US BACK IN THE BLACK. 1ST I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PAID THEIR TAXES. 2 YEARS AGO WE DID NOT KNOW THAT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY WAS TAXABLE. BUT WE KNOW NOW BECAUSE THE IRS NOW TELL US THAT WE OWE ALMOST 3000 ,I WONDER IF THE IRS WOULD AUDIT THE ENTIRE GOVEMENT, HOW MUCH MONEY WE WOULD HAVE. CAUSE OUR INCOME IS PROABLY ABOUT 30,000 A YEAR, WHICH IS CONSIDERED POVERTY. I DO BELIVE WE COULD COLLECT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY FROM THOSE HE OWE BUT SEEM TO GET AWAY WITH OUT PAYING. THAN I WOULD START CHARGING OTHER COUNTRIES FOR THE USE OF OUR MILITARY, NOT BORROW MONEY TO GIVE TO OTHER COUNTRIES UNTIL WE GET AMERICA BACK ON TRACK. AND AM SURE WHEN I GET TO THE LIST OF THINGS OUR TAXES ARE USED FOR I COULD SAVE US A TON OF MONEY. WE NEED TO REALLY CUT GOVERMENT JOBS AND GET BACK TO A SMALLER YET AFFECTIVE GOVERMENT. I JUST CAN'T BELIVE ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE PASSED THROUGH GOVERMENT WITH OUT OUR KNOWING. STOP GIVING MONEY TO SPECIAL INTREST WHO LINE THE POCKETS OF OUR GOVERMENT, SEND THE BILL MY WAY AND I AND AN ATTORNEY COULD READ AND UNDERSTAND. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT GOVERMENT PASSES BILLS WITH OUT EVEN READING, LIKE I SAID WHEN I STARTED OUT, THIS WOULD BE REALLY FUNNY IF IT WAS NOT SO SERIOUS. I BELIEVE THE AMERICA WE USE TO TAKE PRIDE IN IS GONE. ALL THE COUNTRIS WE BORROWED FROM REALLY OWN US.

It really is business as usual in Washington. I do want to caution my fellow conservatives about throughing the bums out. Conservatives do tend to through the bums out on the Republican side while our liberal friends keep voting for Democrats. We don't want to see the House back in the Dems hands becaused we punished our bums.

We the People are the Government….not Congress, not the Senate, not the President, and not the Lobbyist. Those in Wasington have sold out the American People for far to long…and now they are in a trap over it, and still they think the can scam us!

John boehner is just the latest republican who has really wants to be a Progressive liberal. I have come to this conclusion not by what he says but how he votes. Let's face it we have leadership in the Republican party and without term limits we as a country are doomed. In the last election we gave toe republican party some quality people which the leadership will try to destroy. God help them!!

I really like Judge Napolitano, but you know, when he gets all warm and friendly with the likes of Charlie Rangel as he did the other night when filling in for Beck, well, I just gotta wonder … How can you joke around with a crook like Rangel after the scams he's pulled on all of us. C'mon Judge, get serious, these people have been screwing us around for years. They're not people to joke around with. They're disgusting politicians who should evoke disgust not light hearted banter. A pox on them!

I'm proud of our men and women in Congress. At least they are trying, one step at a time. Of course they won't get as much done as many yell at them to do .One house with a majority is not going to get the jobs done very fast. D.C. has been this way a long time,and many do not want their lives changed. Come 2012 we can vote in more conservatives. Until then we can help by what your doing and I will keep on cheer every one on to a balanced budget,jobs,better schools for the children and a return to our CONSTITUTION by all.

The National Journal reports: “…the final cuts in the deal are advertised as $38.5 billion less than was appropriated in 2010, but after removing rescissions, cuts to reserve funds, and reductions in mandatory spending programs, discretionary spending will be reduced only by $14.7 billion.”

Folks… to the best of my knowledge – my research, relying upon OMB figures – the above is untrue.

Here's what I "think" I know:

During fiscal year 2010 – last year, when Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress – total federal spending amounted to $3,465,213,000,000.

Yet…

According to OMB's latest estimates, federal spending for fiscal year 2011 is actually set to RISE to $3,818,819,000,000.

(That's a spending INCREASE of almost three-hundred and sixty-two billion dollars!)

What Budget cut? Once again, it is busines as usual in Washington/Chicago politics. As a proud Heritage Foundation member I beg and recommend that Congress review the promises made to its constituents at election time on 2010. The same way we elected you, the same way we can vote you out of office(s).

To Quote from The Gettysburg Address:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,,, – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

All the Congressmen and Senators with the help of every President we have had caused all the Wars, we are involved in, when they well know that a long time ago they signed into we shouldn't win any War we are in. They are the ones who are trying to destroy the Country, they make the budget we don't they spend our tax dollars like they is no bottom, they are the ones who tax us to death. They are the ones who broke SS by giving it away to illegals and women with out men who gave them children. Obama and his wife spen billinos of dollars on their trips around the world that the news media won't tell us wht the real coast is. The Government is the real killer of we the people with Obama Care, the Government is the real killer of our Freedom, the Government is the real killer of the United States moving forward to be the best Country in the World. The Government is the real killer of mankind trying to send us back into the dark ages, where they and they alone will rule us, the People and make us their sleves. You want to cut 10 trillion right now in one day… shut down about 15 Bureaucracies, stop giving billions of dollars to our enemy Countries, which is the whole world. Presidenst and all Government should pay their taxes and stop stealing money form we the people. There should be term limets so no one can be that powerful. Senators hgave to get elected every 3 years, and can only run twice, with no benifits, Congressmen the same thing. Presidents 3 years and can only run one time. And that's how we can save money right now not ten years from now wich is a lot of B..S…

Become active, I can't stand waiting for 2012, Do you have an idea what damage is done in next 2 years. Lying about numbers, fuzzy math, whatever, are they really that dumb? If they don't know what's happening they better be replaced. Recalls and impeachments better start happening, or America is done. Why can't we get straight answers from Boehner? Why is he so fond of ODUMBO and REID? He better not be allowed to go into a meeting alone again, he can';t handle. Make your views know simple and direct, Yard signs, auto window signs, yes complete emails and comment pages, but 80% of the voters don't pay enough attention only go by popular opinion in propaganda liberal media. We've got to overcome. Anyone here in Arizona tried to get info from FLAKE, still waiting for response. Not our choice for Senate by long shot. There's 435 representatives sitting in Washington, do any of them speak?

[…] some members of Congress still attempt to unscramble all the details of the six-month spending deal struck by leadership last week, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said he’s already steeling himself for […]

[…] Read Before You Vote Posted on April 13, 2011 by goldcountrypatriots A budget agreement that fell short in dollars but was advertised as “the largest spending cut in history“ is being challenged by new reports that the old ways of Washington have yet to be overcome. News outlets such as The Washington Post, Fox News and the Associated Press suggest “creative accounting” may have been used to get to the figure of $38.5 billion in cuts. Read more… […]

To date, John Boehner is a BIG disappointment and not fit to be the Speaker.The person that could fit the Speakers role to a tee is Paul Ryan but unfortunately we only have one of him.If we could only find another brilliant mind like him to take over the budget, then we can replace spineless John Boehner who obviously is inept in using the tools that we provided him in the 2010 election.It's like giving an ordinary citizen a Tomcat fighter plane and asking him to fly it in combat.How sad.

It seems the Truth comes out too late to make necessary changes. When I read and heard that Congress cut from a newly submitted budget with increases built in, rather than cutting from the last approved budget, I thought how many people really knews what was going on. Politics gets dirtier by the minute and Congress just manipulates things to get what they want.

The last 2 weeks I had hopes that real cuts would be made, and now I find out different. I am thoroughly disgusted.

Can term limits really change the manipulation, and I certainly hope the next elections will be another change – from the top down.

EVERY Govement agency should be cut, include Dep. of Labor, Dep. of Treasure, – stop new projects, clean house (spend more time reveiwing and studying expenditures instead of knee jurk spending) and "live" on a smaller budget.

People SHOULD not get food stamps- too easy. They should get food off

a truck (food bank), to ensure they get the meals they need, this will cut costs and help the people to try harder to manage their time and talents.

It is an embarrassment to live in a Country so far in debt -we are smarter then this!

I would like to see the Department of Energy defunded, the Post Office privatized, privatization of our education system, with the States given the power to establish its own standards, the Dept. of Education severly downsized, establishment of the flat tax, severe downsizing of the IRS, and a limit to the amount Unions can contribute to political campaigns. This would make the US more solvent and a better country.

With the news came out today (4/14/11) from the CBO, that the real cuts to the budget amounts to only $320 million, it appears that even Heritage, as well as everyone else, has been snookered again. When are we going to learn that, even if you read what the bill contains, what's written doesn't necessarily reflect reality. It's just another instance of political sleight of hand.

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